Molting

As expected of his physique, which had been greatly enhanced after being trained by Little Fatty, Qin Ming fought the little beast for three hundred rounds before finally being defeated.

"We're on the same side!"

"I bled for you (the red marks from when we first met), I cried for you (the rain that hit my face on the day of the natural disaster), and I kept your secret!"

"I didn't even tell Brother Qi about your affairs!"

"You can't wrong an innocent person!"

Qin Ming's voice was hoarse and his acting was slightly exaggerated, but his emotions were genuine and his performance was very moving.

"Awoo!?" The little beast's waving, bursting-out paws froze in mid-air for a moment.

"I'm not lying to you, I only just guessed your identity!" Qin Ming touched his nose, his eyes slightly evasive.

The small animal, unable to understand human body language, was noticeably calmer.

"My name is Huo Lin, don't give me those weird nicknames." The little beast used telepathy, and a boyish voice rang in Qin Ming's mind.

"Huolin, right? Then should I call you Yanzi from now on? Calling you by your full name is too formal. What kind of relationship do we have?" Qin Ming acted like they were best buddies.

Huo Lin frowned, his eyes looking strange, perhaps pondering the nature of his relationship with Qin Ming.

"That's right, we all call Qilin 'brother,' so we can be considered peers!"

Qin Ming's arguments are full of fallacies, and his lies are mixed with the truth.

At first glance, Huo Lin thought it made some sense.

Although Qin Ming's expression was slightly stiff, the sincerity in his tone made up for it, and he continued to add.

"Flame is better than fire, but with an extra 'fire' element. Pretty impressive, right?"

"When you become even more amazing, I'll call you Yanzi. Now you have another 'fire' in your name, how about that?"

"Doesn't it sound both great and impressive?"

Huo Lin nodded blankly.

"I've given you such a nice name, I don't want anything else, just call me 'brother'~"

At this moment, Qin Ming was clearly getting cocky!

「Ouch!!」(▼ヘ▼#)

After another three hundred rounds of fighting, the man and the beast were exhausted and took a break. In the end, they sought common ground while reserving their differences and decided to discuss their own arguments.

"Qin Ming, do you know where to get this kind of food? Qi Ge gave it to me, but I've smelled a similar scent on you before."

As he spoke, Huo Lin pulled out a tattered bag from somewhere.

The familiar and classic color scheme on the outer packaging made Qin Ming know what it was without even taking a closer look.

"Think about it carefully, it's so delicious, I'll take you to rob as much as you want!" Huo Lin savored the delicious food from his dream, his mouth watering while also showing his loyalty.

Qin Ming's expression froze instantly.

Do you know whose this is?

You know nothing and you're going to rob someone?

I really thank you for spouting nonsense in front of the person in question!

In your current state, who can you possibly compete with?

"What's wrong with you right now?" Qin Ming didn't want to be too direct, so he gestured with his hands.

While changing the subject, I was also genuinely curious.

"My brother has sealed it tightly. It won't be released unless it encounters danger." Huo Lin lowered its head in grievance, stepping on its right paw with its left paw.

"However, the array crystal you gave me before was somewhat useful, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to extinguish the opponent's attack that day."

"That makes things simple; I have plenty of array crystals," Qin Ming said confidently.

"Actually, being sealed isn't so bad, at least I can eat my fill..." Huo Lin slowly added the second half of the sentence.

"..."

Qin Ming suddenly didn't want to say anything more.

"I will prioritize supplying the array crystals to the giant snake, which is my senior brother's Panshan Python."

"You should be able to tell that he's about to break through." Qin Ming thought for a moment and still felt that this allocation was more reasonable.

As for Huo Lin, he's really not in a hurry...

"That's right, it'll be in the next couple of days." Huo Lin's perception was even clearer and more accurate than Qin Ming's.

"Two days? Then hurry up." Qin Ming stopped talking and rushed to feed the giant snake.

Upon seeing the giant snake, Qin Ming didn't hesitate and immediately drew a huge...

The eldest brother's expression, which had been full of gratitude, gradually turned ferocious.

"Senior Brother, is the Great Serpent about to break through? How are his preparations going?"

Exhausted of his mental energy, Qin Ming felt dizzy and unsteady on his feet. The giant snake stepped forward and stretched out its body so that Qin Ming could use it for support.

"I gave him all the evolution resources this morning. The preparations are almost complete, and he's about to go to the special location to molt."

Qin Ming looked closely and, sure enough, it was true.

Name: Panshan Python

[Attribute]: Water

[Race Rank]: Low-ranking monarch

[Evaluation: Energy reserves complete, about to molt. (20% Low-level Emperor, 80% High-level Monarch)]

"Can I go with you and take a look?"

Regardless, this is a rare sight, and Qin Ming really wanted to see it, but he didn't know if there were any taboos, which is why he asked this question.

While the eldest brother was still hesitating, the giant snake lowered its head and nuzzled Qin Ming without thinking, even nodding slightly, as if to express its opinion in advance.

"Okay." The senior brother translated expressionlessly.

"Usually in situations like this, only the person he trusts most, someone he'd entrust his life to, would be there to watch over him. Usually, I'm alone, but you, you..."

The eldest brother couldn't continue speaking, and his expression turned bitter and sorrowful.

"Oh, is that so?" Qin Ming felt as if he had inexplicably hurt his senior brother again, so he lowered his voice.

"Let's go."

The heartbroken senior brother led the way.

A moment later, the two arrived at the Spirit Master Association.

"Rent a high-grade spiritual energy chamber that is half water and half land for one day for the evolution of snake-type spiritual beasts."

After speaking, the senior brother handed over his Spirit Master certificate.

"You've been credited with 1000 points. Here is your receipt and room key. Please keep them safe."

The senior disciple took the documents and skillfully led the way.

"The Spirit Master Association provides these kinds of paid venue services," the senior brother explained to Qin Ming.

"Although suitable places can be found in the wild, it is not always possible to find one, and it takes time and there are also safety risks."

Therefore, many spirit masters will complete association tasks in their spare time to earn points and exchange them for these services.

Most importantly, the association has highly skilled members. If danger arises during the evolution process, they will not stand idly by.

With his senior brother's firsthand account, Qin Ming gained a deeper understanding of the Spirit Master Association.

The eldest brother specifically emphasized the semi-aquatic, semi-terrestrial environment, and the layout of the spiritual energy room was indeed like that.

Upon entering, Qin Ming felt a strong spiritual energy rushing towards him.

Closing the door almost completely isolates you from all senses and avoids potential external influences, which is indeed a good approach.

Qin Ming stood by the door, quietly watching his senior brother wet the giant snake's body and then give him detailed instructions.

"Awoo~"

"Shh! Don't talk!" Qin Ming quickly covered Huo Lin's mouth.

Previously, Qin Ming brought Huo Lin along because he couldn't refuse Huo Lin's wishes and also because he was currently harmless.

Fire Kirin snorted and glared unhappily, "Aww~"

"Why are you still making noise..."

Meeting Huo Lin's smug and boastful gaze, Qin Ming sensed that something was amiss, and upon closer inspection...

Name: Panshan Python

[Attribute]: Water

[Race Rank]: Low-ranking monarch

[Evaluation: Blessed by auspicious beasts, molting is accelerating...]

Alright, you're an auspicious beast, do as you please...